MRO Capability Additions Driving M&A Moves So Far in 2019

Backed by private equithy money in the form of investors Ardian, APU repair specialist Revima acquired two new companies in January. The first was Chromalloy France, signalling growth in the numbers and types of repairs it can carry out for APUs. The second, Toulouse-based Flight Watching, specializes in data analytics for predictive maintenance.

Baltic repair specialist Magnetic MRO completed the acquisition of Netherlands-based line maintenance provider Direct Maintenance in February. The move expanded Magnetic MRO's capabilities into the widebody market--taking on Direct Maintenance’s existing services for Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.

ACC Aviation Group acquired aviation consultancy Aerotask in a move it says will compliment its existing capabilities across ACMI leasing, aircraft charter and the aircraft seats aftermarket. Aerotask, headquartered in Dubai in the UAE, offers asset management and advisory solutions to airlines, lessors, investors and financial institutions worldwide.

China-based Flightparts Component Services completed the acquisition of TAP Maintenance & Engineering’s component business based in Porto Alegre, Brazil. According to Flightparts, headquartered in Xiamen, the move expands and complements its MRO capabilities particularly for its landing gear line.

STS Aviation Group added a further entity to its portfolio in March in the form of Triumph Aviation Services’ NAAS Division--a provider of line maintenance with specialties in fuel systems maintenance, leak detection and bladder cell repair. This led to the relaunch of the Tiger Tanks business, forming out of the fuel systems segment of NAAS.

Sabena Technics acquired the three hangars operated by French company EAS Services in March. The site, located in Perpignon, France, now operates at Sabena Technics PFG after a post-acquisition rebrand. It holds commercial aircraft heavy maintenance capabilities for Airbus A320, A330, A340 and Boeing 737 aircraft. Sabena Technics is looking to add approvals for Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft at the facility. 

Causeway Aero, a Northern Ireland-based cabin interiors and aero-structures company, acquired Race Completions in May. The move has resulted in additional capabilities: Causeway Aero will now carry out parts-manufacturing and aircraft-interiors maintenance.